Lubricator



H. H. MERCER LUBRI CATOR Original Filed June 27 1918 w w 1 .1 i EL 6 1 Z m1 5 m4 1 W .N 9Q. .5

Patented July 8, 1924.

HNETED STATES 3,523,522 PATENT @ffififi.

HENRY I-I. MERCER, OF OLAREIVIONT, NEW HAMPSHIRE, ASSIGNOR TO SULLIVAN MACHINERY COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF MASSACHUSETTS.

LUBRICA'IOR.

Application filed .Tune 27, 1918, Serial No. 242,261. Renewed. December 22, 1923.

To aZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY H. a citizen of the United States, reslding at Claremont, in the county of Sullivan andworking parts of the pneumatic cushioning and power transmission devices employed in certain types of stone working machines. In the operation of such devices it has been found that the parts in ;a relatively short time become highly heated due to friction and the compressive action of the parts and the supply of lubricant alone even insubstantial quantities has not been found universally sufiicient to wholly'prevent excessive temperatures. Accordingly, the object of this invention is not only the provision of means for successfully and economically supplying a lubricant to such a device, but also the provision of means for maintaining a constant circulation of air throughout the entire device with'the object ofabsorbing and carrying away any excessive heat.

Other objects and advantages of this,inven tion will hereinafter'more fully appear.

In the accompanying drawings I have shown for purposes of illustration one form which my invention may assume in practice.

In said drawings,

Fig. 1 is a side elevation of a channeling machine constructed in accordance, with the invention.

Fig.2 is an'enlarged detail vertical section taken substantially on the line 2-2, Fig. 1.

Fig. 3 is a still further enlarged elevation of the lubricant receptacle.

Fig. a is a section on the line 41, Fig. 3.

For convenience, the invention is herein illustrated as embodied in a stone channeling machine which, except as hereinafter pointed out, may be of any usual or well known constrnction. As shown, said machine comprises a truck 10 mounted on wheels 11 adapted to run on the usual trackway,'said truck having a longitudinally extending trunnion bar 13 on which is adjustably mounted a standard 14, said standard being retained in adjusted position by means ofone or more inclined braces 15, as is usual in machines of this character. The standard 1 1 is provided with suitable vertical guides 16 in which is mounted a sliding frame 17 carrying the cutting mechanism, said sliding frame being vertically adjustable in said guides, to move-the cut ting mechanism toward and from the work,

by means of suitable feeding mechanism which forms no portion of the present invention, and which, being usual in machines of this character, is not illustrated herein. The sliding frame 17 is provided with vertical guides 20 in which is slidably mounted a crosshead 21 carrying a gang of channeling'tools 22. The parts thus far referred to, being usual in machines of this general type, require no further description in detail.

The crosshead 21 and tools 22 are reciprocated through suitable'connections from a crank shaft 23 actuated by the usual motor, not shown. The connections between the crank shaft 23 and crosshead 21 are such as to provide an elastic yielding medium between said parts, and to convert the rotary motion of said crank shaft into a movement of the tools which will cause them to perform their cutting functions in the most efficient manner. As herein shown, the crosshead 21 is connected to a piston rod 30 secured to a piston 31 working in a cylinder 32 which is mounted for reciprocation in the sliding frame 17, the latter for that purpose having secured thereto suitable guides 33 which receive suitable slides 34 carried by the upper cylinder head 36.

lVhile the cylinder may be of any suitable construction, it is preferably provided with upper and lower heads 36 and 37 between which is interposed the cylinder shell, said heads being united by a plurality of tie rods 38. This construction provides a very light, but exceedingly strong, cylinder, which is also inexpensive to manufacture. The piston rod 30 passes through the lower cylinder head 37, which may be provided with a suitable wearing bushing 39 and a suitable gland or stuffing box 40. The upper cylinder head 36 is formed-with a tubular extension 45 containing a split bushing 46 in which is guided a piston rod extension.

4C7 projecting upwardly from the piston 81. The upper end of the extension45 ispreferably closed by a tubular-cap 48.

Any suitable mechanism may be employed to reciprocate the cylinder 32 from the crank shaft 23 and thereby-through its described connection with the tool carrying crosshead, reciprocate the latter and impart workingstrokes to the tools, but, as herein shown, thelower cylinder head 37 is provided with wrist pins41- on opposite sides thereof, said wrist pins-being connected by rods-orgpitmen 42 with said crank shaft. By connecting the pitmen to the lower cylinder head, a structure is, provided which is'exceedingly light, yet strong, it beingapparent that the lifting action is absorbed by anv air cushion acting upon the lower head of the cylinder which is directly supported by the connecting rods, while the blow striking. force is imparted to the tool by an air cushion whose reaction during downward movement of the cylinder is upon the upper head which is connected by the tie rods 38 to the lower head. 1 For lubricating the wrist pins. the cylinder head 87 is provided with an oil chamber 43. thewrist pins 4:1 being formed hollow and communicating with said chamber, and being further provided with ports 44 leading from their hollow interiors to the exterior surfaces thereof.

The wall of the cylinder 32 is provided intermediate its ends with "a pair of longitudinally spaced ports49 and 50 connected by a longitudinally extending bypass passage 51. The lower cylinder head 37 is pro vided with one or more inlet ports 52 controlled by an inwardly opening spring pressed check valve 53. The bushing 46 is provided with one or more longitudinally extending grooves 54 connecting the upper end of the cylinder with the interior of the cap 48, the latter being provided at its top with a small outlet port 55.

.By reason of the bypass 51, the reciprocation of the cylinder 82 is caused to pro- .duce'an extremely effective cutting action of the tool upon therock without material reaction upon said cylinder and the other parts of the mechanism. When the piston 31 occupies a positionxadjacent either end of the cylinder beyond the end of the bypass 51, the air'is trapped in that end of the cylinder, causing a sudden impulse tobe given to the piston; but when said piston occupies a position between the ports 4-9 .and 50, it is in effect operatively disconnected from the cylinder. and free to move upwardly or downwardly under the influence of its initial impulse. The effect is that of throwing the tool forwardly against the roclrwith great-force, releasing thesameat its moment of impact against the rock, and

catching the samenpon its rebound preparatory to another forward impulse. At each reciprocation .of the mechanism agreater or less amount of air passesfrom the lower "end of the cylinder to the upper end thereof through the bypass 51. This loss of air from the lower end of the cylinder is comthe check valve 53 and inlet openings 52, while the excess air atthe upper end of the cylinder is gradually discharged through the grooves 54 and outlet opening 55. 'While,

. pensated for by the admission-ofair through V in the operation of the machine, the air 7 will, to a certain extent, surge back and tacle 57 secured, as by bolts 60, to the exterior of said cylinder wall,and having a top58 open to the atmosphere. 7 Within the receptacle 57 is a vertical series of curved, downwardly concave baflie plates'59, each of said'plateshaving depending ends extending substantially to the bottom of the receptacle 57. The several bafiie plates 59 are disposed in staggered relationship, alternate plates being carried by the inner and outer walls, respectively,'of' the receptacle 57, and the free edges of adjacent plates overlapping one another. The construction and arrangement of the baflies 59 issuch as to facilitate downward flow of liquid in the receptacle 57 while obstructs ing upward flow thereof. 7

In operation, the fluid pressure in that portion of the cylinder with which the opening 56 communicates, due to the relative reciprocation of the cylinder and piston 31, fluctuates through a considerable'range,

said current being at times inward and at other times outward. Said air, due to the bafiie plates 59, passesthrough the receptacle 57 in a zigzag path between the openings 56 and 58. If therefore, liquid lubricant be supplied to the receptacle 57 said lubricant will tend to gravitate to the bottom of the receptacle 57 a certain quantity of said lubricant passing with the air through the opening 56 into the interior of the cylinder when the flow of said air' is inwardly.

When, however, air is forced outwardly from the cylinder through the opening 56 and passes upwardly through the receptacle 57, the particles of liquid lubricant carried thereby will impinge upon and be arrested by the baflle plates 59, and will be conducted by the depending ends of said baffle plates back to the lower part of the receptacle. The construction, therefore, provides for a free circulation of air in either direction through the receptacle 57, but comprises means for impeding the upward or outward flow of liquid lubricant in said receptacle, while permitting free downward or inward flow thereof, such downward flow being further assisted by gravity, so that the resultant movement of the lubricant is toward the interior of the cylinder.

A portion of the lubricant so reaching the interior of the cylinder 32 will gravitate downwardly therein and reach the piston rod 30 and bushing 39, thereby serving to lubricate the latter parts. Another portion of said lubricant, due to the upward flow of air in the cylinder, as above explained, will be carried upwardly with said air into the grooves or passages 54, thereby lubricating the engaging surfaces of the bushing 4L6 and piston rod extension 47.

While I have in this application specifically described one form which my invention may assume in practice, it will be understood that this form of the same is shown for purposes of illustration and that the invention may be modified and embodied in various other forms without departing from its spirit or the scope of the appended claims.

lVhat I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. The combination with a pneumatic device comprising a chamber subjected to fluctuating pneumatic pressures, of means for supplying lubricant to said chamber comprising a lubricant receptacle having free communication with said chamber and pro vided with means for impeding the flow of lubricant therein in a direction away from said chamber.

2. The combination with a cylinder having a piston therein and a piston rod, of means for supplying lubricant saturated air to the interior of said cylinder, and means for conducting said air along said piston rod to the exterior of said cylinder.

3. The combination with a cylinder, a piston therein having a piston rod extending through both ends of said cylinder and guided thereby, of means for causing a flow of lubricant saturated air longitudinally of said piston rod through one end of said cylinder to the atmosphere.

4. In combination, a chamber subject to fluctuating pneumatic pressure, and a device for supplying lubricant thereto having communication with the interior of the chamber and with the atmosphere, and adapted to impede the flow of lubricant from the chamber.

5. In combination, a chamber subject to fluctuating pneumatic pressures, and a lubricating device therefor having communication with the interior of the chamber and with the atmosphere, and adapted to separate lubricant from air flowing outward through the lubricating device.

6. In combination, a chamber subject to fluctuating pneumatic pressures, and an open oil receptacle communicating therewith, provided with baflle means to prevent entrainment of oil with outflowing air. 1

7 The combination with a pneumatic device comprising a chamber subjected to fluctuating pneumatic pressures, of means for supplying lubricant to said chamber comprising a lubricant receptacle open to the exterior of said chamber and having free communication with the interior thereof, said receptacle being provided with means for impeding the flow of lubricant therein in a direction away from said chamber.

8. The combination with a pneumatic device comprising a chamber subjected to fluctuating pneumatic pressures, of means for supplying lubricant to said chamber comprising a lubricant receptacle having free communication with said chamber and provided with means for impeding the flow of lubricant therein in a direction away from said chamber while facilitating said flow in a direction toward said chamber.

9. The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein, of a lubricant receptacle communicating with the interior of said cylinder, said receptacle being provided with means for impeding the flow of lubricant therethrough in one direction while permitting the flow of gaseous fluid therethrough in either direction.

10. The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein, of a lubricant receptacle having an opening in its lower portion communicating with the interior of said cylinder, said receptacle being provided with means for impeding the upward flow of lubricant therein while permitting the downward flow thereof to said opening.

11. The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein, of a lubricant receptacle having an opening in its lower portion communicating with the interior of said cylinder, said receptacle having a baffle therein adapted to impede the flow of liquid while permitting the free flow of gaseous fluid therein.

12. The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein, of a lubricant receptacle having an opening in its lower portion communicating with the interior of said cyll'll inder, said receptacle having a'baifle therein adapted to impede the flow of liquid while permitting 'the free flow of gaseous fluid therein, said 'baflie having depending ends for directing downwardly liquid impinging against the same.

13. The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein, of a lubricant receptacle having an opening in its lower portion com- =municating with the interior of said cylinder, said receptacle having a curved, downwa'rdly concave baffle therein, said bafiie having depending ends extending substantially to: the bottom of said receptacle.

'14-. The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein, of a lubricant'receptacle having an opening in its lower portion communicating with the interior of said cylinder,said'receptacle having a plurality of baffles therein arranged in staggered relationship in a vertical series.

15. The combination with a cylinder and aipiston therein, of alubricant receptacle having "an opening in its lower portion communicating with the interior of said cylinder, said receptacle having a plurality of baflies therein arranged in staggered relationship in a vertical series, said baffles all having depending ends'extending substantially to the bottom of saidreceptacle.

16. In a stone working machine, in combination, a cutting tool, actuating means therefor, driving connections between said tool and actuating means including a cylinder and a piston therein, and means for supplying lubricant to said cylinder comprising a lubricant receptacle having free communication with' the interior of said cylinder and provided with means for impeding the flow -of "lubricant therein in a direction away from said cylinder.

17. The combination with a cylinderin clined to the horizontal "and a piston therein having a piston rod passing through the lower head of said cylinder, of fluid pressure means for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder midway of the length thereof, and'means for causing a'flow of-nir from end to end of-said cylinder.

18. The combination with an uprightcylin der and a piston therein having a piston rod passing through the lower head of said cylinder, of means for supplying lubricant tothe interiorof said cylinder above the bottom thereof, said means comprising a lubricant receptacle having an opening in its lower'portion in free communication with the interior'of said cylinder, said receptacle being provided with means for impeding the upward flow of lubricant therein while permitting the downward flow thereof to said openin 19. In a stone working machine, in combination, a cutting tool, actuating means therefor, driving connectionsbetween said plyin-g lubricant tothe interiorof said cyl inder 'intermediate'its ends, said parts having;provision for causing said lubricant to flow tosaid piston rod andlpistonrod extension.

f 21. The combination with acylinder and a piston therein "having a piston rod extending through one'ofthe'heads ofsaid cylinder anda pistonrod extension guidedin the opposite cylinder head, of means for supplying lubricant to=the interior of said cylinder intermediate its ends, said means comprising a lubricant receptacle having free communication with said cylinderand provided with-means for impeding the'flow of lubricant therein in a direction away from said' cylinder, said parts having provision for causing said lubr canttdfiow to said piston rod ELIlClPlStQHTOCl extension.

22. The combinationwith'a cylinder and a piston thereinhaving a piston rod, of a lubricator =for supplying lubricant to the interiorof said cylinder approximately midwayof its'length, said cylinder having provision for 'maintaining a flowcof air therein from said lubricate]? to said piston rod. I

23.*The combination with a cylinder and a piston therein having a piston IOCl,'-S&lCl cylinderproviding a bearing for saidpiston rod, of alubricatorfor supplying lubricant to the interior of-said cylinder, said cylinder having provision for maintaining a flowof air therein longitudinally of said piston rod through said bearing,

24E. The combination with a cylinder, inclined to the horizontal and a piston therein having a rod extending through the upper head thereof,'of means for supplying lubricanttothe interior of said cylinder, said parts having provision for causing an upward flow of air through said cylinder from end to end thereof. V

25. In combination, a cylinder and a piston therein having a piston rod extension reciprocab-le through one end of said cylinder, andmeans for. supplying lubricant to theinterior of said cylinder, said parts having provision forjcausing a flow of air along the exterior of said rod extension.

26. The combination with an upright cylinder and a piston therein having a rod extending through the upperhead thereof, of

means for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder, said cylinder having an inlet opening and an outlet opening at its bottom and top, respectively, and a check valve controlling one of said openings.

27. In combination, a cylinder and a piston therein having a rod extending through one end thereof, and means for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder, said cylinder having an inlet opening at one end thereof and an outlet opening at the other end thereof, a check valve controlling one of said openings, said other opening communicating directly with the atmosphere.

28. The combination with an upright cylinder having an upper head provided with a tubular extension and a piston in said cylinder having a rod extending into said tubular extension, of means for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder, said cylinder having an inlet opening at its bottom, and said tubular extension having an outlet opening at its top, and a check valve controlling one of said openings.

29. The combination with a cylinder having one head provided with a tubular extension, and a piston in said cylinder having an extended rod reciprocable in said tubular extension, of means for lubricating and cooling said parts comprising an opening in the end of said cylinder opposite said extension, and an opening in said tubular extension, and a check valve controlling one of said openings.

30. In a stone workin machine, in combination, a cutting too, actuating means therefor, driving connections between said tool and actuating means including a cylinder and a piston therein having a rod extending through the upper head thereof, means for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder, said cylinder having an inlet opening and an outlet opening in its opposite ends, respectively, and a check valve controlling one of said openings.

31. In a stone working machine, in combination, a cutting tool, actuating means therefor, driving connections between said tool and actuating means including a cylinder and a piston therein having a piston rod, and a lubricator for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder, said connections having means for controlling the relative movement of said cylinder and piston and for maintaining a flow of air in said cylinder from said lubricator to said piston rod.

32. In a stone Working machine, in combination, a cutting tool, actuating means therefor, driving connections between said tool and actuating means including a cylinder and a piston therein having a piston rod and a lubricator for supplying lubricant to the interior of said cylinder, said cylinder having means for maintaining a flow of air therein longitudinally of said piston rod.

33. The. combination with a device comprising means forming a chamber having relatively movable walls whereby a fluctuating fluid pressure is produced in said chamber, of means for supplying lubricant to said chamber comprising a lubricant receptacle having free communication with said chamber during low pressure therein, but cut off from communication with said chamber during periods of higher pressure by movement of one of said walls.

34. The combination With a device comprising a cylinder and a piston, said cylinder and piston being reciprocable relative to each other whereby fluctuating pressures are produced at opposite sides of said piston, of means for supplying lubricant to the interior of the cylinder comprising a lubricant receptacle having free communication with the bore of the cylinder at a point so disposed that it communicates with the chambers at the opposite sides of the piston only during the periods when the pressures in said chambers are substantially equal to or below atmospheric.

85. In a machine of the class described, the combination includin a cylinder member, a piston member therein, means for positively reciprocating one of said members, means for interconnecting the spaces within the cylinder member at opposite sides of the piston member when said members are in a predetermined relative position, and lubricant supply means communicating with the interior of said cylinder at a point spaced from the ends thereof,

36. In a machine of the class described, the combination including a cylinder member, a piston member therein, means for positively reciprocating one of said members, bypass means for interconnecting the spaces within the cylinder member at opposite sides of the piston member when said members are in a predetermined relative position, and lubricant supply means communicating with the interior of said cylinder at a pointbetween the points of communication with the cylinder bore of said bypass means.

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature.

HENRY H. MERCER.

periods of relatively 

